To achieve maximal fertility, rams should be physically examined for reproductive fitness before breeding to detect any abnormalities that may affect reproductive ability. The scrotum and its contents and the penis and prepuce should be carefully examined, the size and symmetry of both testes and epididymides assessed and both testes palpated for consistency and resilience.
Any palpable lesions, particularly of the epididymis, should be considered potentially infectious (eg, Brucella ovis, Histophilus somni, and Actinobacillus seminis). Appropriate tests should be performed to establish a flock diagnosis to initiate a test and eradicate program for infected rams. Semen can be collected and evaluated to screen potential sires, particularly in single-sire mating systems. All screening procedures should be done 6–8 weeks before breeding to allow management changes of the ram team or purchase of replacements for unsuitable rams.
Supplementary feeding of the rams can be started 6 weeks before breeding. High-protein grains, particularly lupines, increase both testicular size and the number of cells in the germinal layers of the testicle, resulting in increased sperm production. However, dietary protein levels >14% have been associated with infectious balanoposthitis due to Corynebacterium renale infection, (pizzle rot).
Breeding activity can be monitored by use of a breeding harness on the rams and changing the crayon color every 14–17 days. When fewer than expected ewes are marked, poor ram libido, insufficient number of rams to breed the ewe flock, or anestrus should be suspected. When ewes are serially marked with different colors, conception failure or early embryonic death are likely.
The ram to ewe ratio varies with breed, maturity of ram, and whether synchronization or induction of estrus is being practiced. Ratios of 1:40 are common in farm flocks, but excellent fertility can be achieved with a higher ratio if rams from prolific breeds are used (eg, Finnish Landrace). For ram effect, the ratio should be 1:20; for estrus synchronization, 1:10 to 1:15 (in season); and for estrus induction (out of season), 1:5 to 1:7.
Length of ram exposure during the ovulatory season should be limited to two or three cycles so as to tighten the lambing period to optimize lambing management and lamb survival. Excellent fertility can be achieved with a breeding exposure of 35–42 days (2–2½ cycles). Poor fertility indicates an issue with the breeding management. Flock dispersion should be avoided during breeding but this should not affect normal handling. Because younger ewes have a shorter, less intense estrous period, they are better bred separately from older ewes with experienced, although not necessarily older, rams.
Collection of Ram Semen
An artificial vagina is used most commonly for collection of ram semen. It is prepared for collection by the introduction of warm water (100°–130°F [40°–55°C]) and air between the outer casing and soft inner sleeve, lubrication with petrolatum in the end where intromission of the penis occurs, and attachment of a graduated collecting glass at the opposite end. Rams quickly learn to mount a restrained ewe, and intromission and ejaculation are extremely rapid.
The second method of semen collection is by electroejaculation, for which the ram may be restrained on its side. The lubricated bipolar electrode is inserted into the rectum. The withdrawn penis is held with a piece of gauze to facilitate insertion of the glans into a 10- to 15-mm diameter graduated collecting tube. Ejaculation usually occurs after a few short electrical stimulations; “stripping” of the urethra may be helpful when expulsion of semen seems incomplete. Electroejaculation is less reliable than the artificial vagina; specimens vary in quality and can be contaminated with urine.
The volume of semen collected with the artificial vagina is 0.5–1.8 mL, and the concentration of the spermatozoa is 2.5–6 × 109/mL. Semen obtained by electroejaculation generally is of larger volume but lower concentration.
Evaluation of Ram Semen
Immediately after collection, the semen is assessed for contamination, volume, concentration of spermatozoa, and sperm motility (wave motion and sperm progression).
Extension of Ram Semen
Semen can be processed by extending or diluting, packaging, and storing. Semen may be extended fivefold, depending on the initial concentration, the processing and storage method, and whether the semen will be used fresh, chilled, or frozen-thawed. Most semen extenders or diluents are based on Tris, egg yolk, and additional cryoprotectants such as glycerol. Commercial extender concentrates contain cryoprotectants and require the addition of egg yolk and double-distilled water. These extenders can be used for either fresh or frozen semen.
Extenders for fresh and chilled semen include whole, skimmed, or reconstituted cow’s milk that has been heated to 92°–95°C for 8–10 minutes in a water bath to inactivate toxic factors, egg yolk/glucose/citrate (15% egg yolk, 0.8% glucose [anhydrous], 2.8% sodium citrate dihydrate in glass-distilled water). The addition of Tris or glycerol improves the sperm survival of frozen-thawed semen. The reconstitution of frozen-thawed semen with fresh seminal plasma improves its fertilizing ability when used for intracervical insemination but not for intrauterine insemination.
The number of motile spermatozoa and the volume of an insemination dose for the ewe depends on the site of insemination and the method of processing. For vaginal insemination, 0.3–0.5 mL with 300 million motile spermatozoa is used; for cervical insemination, 0.05–0.2 mL is used with 100, 150, and 180 million spermatozoa of fresh, liquid-stored, and frozen-thawed semen, respectively. Intrauterine insemination by means of laparoscopy requires 0.08–0.25 mL (with a total of 20 million motile spermatozoa) into each uterine horn.
Storage of Ram Semen
Ram semen may be stored for up to 24 hours by cooling the extended semen to 2°–5°C throughout 90–120 minutes and by holding at this temperature. Fertility decreases rapidly and is low by 48 hours after collection.
Freezing and storage of ram semen in 0.25–0.3 mL, three-dose pellets or in 0.25 mL, single-dose synthetic straws at liquid nitrogen temperature (-196°C) is successful in maintaining sperm viability, but there may be a range in motility after thawing and in fertility between rams or processing batches. Use of frozen-thawed semen may result in lambing rates of 50% with cervical insemination and 50%–80% with intrauterine insemination.
Freeze-thawing reduces the numbers of motile sperm. Chilling results in membrane changes that reduce the longevity of sperm. The membrane changes are similar to capacitation and acrosome reactions, and affected sperm are thus ready to fertilize oocytes. Fresh seminal plasma mitigates the effects of some of the capacitation changes.
